One Among The Sleepless
Our eighty-first title is now live — a novel from Mike Bennett set in a neighbourhood just like yours: noisy, angry, and demented.
“One Among The Sleepless” is a contemporary fiction novel set in Brighton, England about sex, death and noisy neighbours: a thriller with a rich vein of dark humour that flows from both the narrative and the dialogue of the characters. Its a largely character- driven story; the people and their various shifting relationships compel the plot forward through sometimes subtle, sometimes brutal plot twists towards the final, nail-gnawing climax.
December 11th, 2006 at 12:47 pm
Hi Mike,
I’d like to tell you that i have just listened the first episode of your book. Your voice was very clear, the narration was very good and the writing quality was excelent!
Good work, keep going.
Best regards.
January 7th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Hi Mike
Great novel I have just listened to episode 9 and am totally hooked.
Sex, death and noisy neighbours is very apt. Your vocal characterisation is up their with the best and the narrative arc (as mark kermode puts it,) keeps the reader enthralled. If this were a Remington shaver I would buy the company.
January 9th, 2007 at 3:10 am
Hi there Mike
I’ve reached Chapter 9 and I’m freaked out! Brilliant writing, great narration, utterly convincing.
Keep up the good work!
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Totally compelling - I’m up to chapter 13 and I’m hooked. Love the variety and change of pace, the characterizations, the humour, the anticipation, the realism….these are believable personalities - scarily close to home and it all reinforces the notion that ‘you never know what goes on behind closed doors’…. I listen to every episode with a smile on my lips and my eyebrows raised!! Favourite character so far is Mick; love the chopper fixation and the office banter.
March 2nd, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Absolutly gripping , I am totally hooked on this , and have been listening since it started.
Beautifully written and narated , if your not tuned in , your missing out
March 3rd, 2007 at 1:29 am
Gripping, fast-paced and very, very funny. Also, the voice acting is top class. Highly recommended.
March 3rd, 2007 at 1:38 am
This book is well written, very funny and will appeal to anyone who has ever suffered the curse of noisy neighbours!
March 3rd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I love this book! Its darkly funny and always seems to keep me coming back for more. Do yourself a favour, download Part 1 now!
April 8th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Mr. Bennett has written a brilliant book. Subscribe immediately and be diligent about telling your friends and foes about this superb story.
May 14th, 2007 at 2:47 am
I’m really disappointed …. I listened to the first 27 episodes and am hooked, but now I’ve caught up with the series and I’ve got to wait A WHOLE WEEK to hear what happens next!
May 15th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Mike Bennett is easily one of the best writers ever. If this story doesn’t grab someone by the first episode they need an IQ test. Absolutely F’ing brilliant! This story is my favorite book of 2007.
May 15th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Genius.. Mike Bennett is a f**king genius. All the characters are not only personified to a scary realism, but shamefully relateable. Glen is the best supporting character since Harvey Keitel in Pulp Fiction.
Not only is the story unbelieveable, but the intros and outros are captivating. I’ve been known to fast forward through theme music and quick notes, but with Mike I’ve rewound intros for the enjoyment of others.
I’m excited about future Bennett projects.
May 23rd, 2007 at 9:57 am
This book is so good the people on my bus have labelled me a weirdo. I spend half my time laughing hysterically ( the eggs in chapter 25, oh my! ), and the rest shouting ‘what are you doing, no’ at the top of my voice. Mikes vocal talents enhance this no end. If you haven’t listened yet do so, you are in for a real treat.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:48 am
OMG I love the book and hungry for more………Thank Mike u are da’ shit! take it from a Soul Sister (Grinnin’)
June 5th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Absolutely, bloody brilliant!!!!!!!!
June 10th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Absolutely fab - first audio book I’ve subscribed to and I’m really hooked! Great plot, voices, atmosphere - really addictive - only sad thing is its coming to an end soon. But looking forward to the next book Mike! Cheers
June 25th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Excellent book. It would be interesting if there was a part 2.
July 11th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Unusual but wonderfully told. One of the best novels I have listened to. Hope there is another Mike Bennett Novel to listen to soon!
July 14th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Absolutely awesome. Had to spend 12 hours driving back and forth this week, and listened to the first 22 episodes. I’m hooked.
July 17th, 2007 at 2:09 am
Folks, you should join me in sending a paypal donation to Mike. Why? Silly question! This book is better than most you’ve bought in the last few years. Isn’t it better to be able to listen to the show for free, then CHOOSE to reimburse the artist when and how you see fit? I think it’s a lovely way to operate!
This book is great. Chopper bike-riding hobbyist detective! Git stoners! Crazy bum on a mission of messianic proportions!
Now, who can I pass this on to? Too kinky for acquaintances of the female persuasion (Hey, I’m a married man!). No worries, I’ll think of a few intelligent an openminded friends who can appreciate this work.
August 6th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Excellent! I can’t wait for your next work.
September 12th, 2007 at 1:05 am
What can I say? I just can’t get enough of this book! It is fantastic, filled with absolutely everything - comedy, romance, death, and a nice healthy dose of sexual activity. Ok…perhaps healthy is pushing it a bit…
I didn’t find one dull chapter in this weird, raunchy, thrilling novel. It was a nice change from your typical ‘boy meets girl’ scene. Oh, and who wouldn’t love listening to a gorgeous English accent for 40 minutes an episode?
It will make you laugh, gasp, and I’ll admit, I even shed a tear when one of the characters -
…Well now. That would be telling.
Well done, Mike. Will definitely be hanging out for the next novel!
October 6th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
One of the campest books I have yet listened to as a podcast, mike had to be on something when he was narrating this book! I am an actor and have found some new characters to add to my repertoire, the neighbour with a penchant for loading water cannons with pee is going to have his debut when I do my next production, thanks mike! I have an aunt who runs a small b&b in Brighton, so next time I am down there I will be listening very carefully for a voice that sounds as if it could be mike. Hurry up and serve us your next offering mike!
December 4th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Masterful! Mike Bennett imbues each of his characters with such distinct voices, it’s hard to imagine it’s the work of one storyteller. Fast-paced and compelling, this story keeps you listening right to the end. Though some might find the explicit sex a bit confronting, I thought it very realistic. Well worth a listen.
December 24th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Great story with fantastic narration. the weaving of the characters story lines is done masterfully.
I’m a fan of Mike’s other work and look forward to hearing more.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:42 pm
One Among The Sleepless has quickly become one of my favourite podcasts. It has everything, drama, suspense, humour and oddity; plus all the naughty bits. It’s a real human interest piece with a healthy dose of murder & bondage. The author and narrator, Mike Bennett, is a talented writer who brings his characters to life with words but also through his impressive voice talent. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (when it’s over) and in more than one part you’ll cringe in empathy for the characters. I’m not deleting this one from my iPod. I know I’ll want to listen to it again.
March 22nd, 2008 at 9:14 am
I’m right up there with everyone else that thought this was a great listen. It kept me on the edge, wondering what was going to happen next. The ending was somewhat unexpected and, I thought, left some questions unanswered.
The narration was very nicely done and this is one of the few authors I’ve listened to that can do the voices of his characters without over-doing them.
As for the sexual content…well, the adult theme warning should be taken quite seriously. Personally, I don’t need that much detail, but it didn’t stop me from listening until the end.
Overall, a good supsense-filled listen for mature audiences.
April 9th, 2008 at 4:09 am
Great sound quality, awesome range of different voices (although Kay makes me think of a slighly lispy gay goth girl…). Really good story to, great writing. Nice to hear some British contributions to - especially about Brighton
Keep up the good work.
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:23 am
Like so many others, I think the variety of voices really makes this story and makes the story fun and easy to listen to. This book is brilliant and I was sad to have finished it after looking forward to each new episode. One Among the Sleepless is easily one of my favorite stories (written or spoken) of all time.
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Fun story, good voice, it did not suck. Really funny, my best friend has the same chopper bike as in the story!
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:19 am
Extraordinary! Absolute and unbridled genius. This novel, unrelenting in wit, humor, style and story offers just a glimpse at Bennett’s unique brilliance. For an avid listener of audiobooks and more recently, podiobooks, I will say without reservation that this is the best work that I have ever heard. Because now, ladies and gentlemen, emerges a new and insanely clever talent that redefines “performance art” in the written genre. Simply stated, there is NOBODY out there that can touch Mike Bennett. This is the new “Rock Legend” for spoken theater in written form. His stories, voices, characters, the scope of accents, the exactness of musical transition; it’s all perfect! Mike, if you’re reading this: godspeed and good luck. Though you don’t really need it.
May 15th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
EXCELLENT story, but the magic is in the telling. Mike’s ability to draw you into his world and keep you there is amazing. His characters come alive in a way that I have rarely encountered with other podcasters. Had he hired a large group of actors he could not have created a better mix of sound.
From a Southern Bell to a ruff drifter, I never lost my “suspension of disbelief.”
If you’re looking for Walt Disney, don’t listen to this! If you are looking for an enjoyable experience that runs the gambit of emotions, this is for you.
I laughed, I cried, I spilled my petrol! Who could ask for more?
May 19th, 2008 at 10:15 am
GREAT podcast!
May 22nd, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Horrifying, funny, scary, dramatic, entertaining…everything. One of the best podcasts out there.
June 12th, 2008 at 12:34 am
This is without doubt the best podiobook I have listened to yet and I have listen to loads here already! Cant recommend this one enough. Even the intro’s to each chapter are superb, Mike Bennet really uses the medium of podcasting in a way where he knows he is only being heard in your head. I intend to listen to all the Mike Bennet I can, the man is a genius. Some of the moments in this book are so hard to explain to others why they are hilarious, Wayne’s bad day with Lucy and then the water pistol later the same day - I should have felt sorry for the man but instead I was laughing my socks off
June 30th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Excellent audiobook. One of my favorites!.. Just and FYI, Episode 30 has an audio problem: the narration is coming out only out of one channel.
July 28th, 2008 at 3:10 am
I agree with Martin: this is by far the best podiobook ever. I can´t believe this sort of quality is given away for free. The story is cool, clever and unpredictable. Oh and very very funny. The characters are believable and I like how many of them have different sides/personalities, ie Gaz is a bastard, but certainly also has a charming and funny side. Well narrated - a discipline which is seldom mastered to perfection when it is performed by the writer himself - this podiobook of course being the exception. I also like how the “stage is set” at the beginning of each episode, so we are gently introduced to the next episode.
But: Am I the only who thought the ending was a bit sudden? I had many unanswered questions after episode 33 (which is the last one, right?). Like, who is Dusty really and what does he mean by “the one”. Mick has a theory about it at the very end, but I find it a bit vague. Anyone?
Anyway 5 stars from me! And Mike Bennett, start selling your books instead of giving them away - and then quit the dayjob!
If you thought this story was good, I can recommend: Patrick McLean: How to Succeed in Evil - Volume One
Be good everyone, I´m off to download “Hall of Mirrors”.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Thanks Peter
Just to address your ‘But…’ point, you’re not the first to raise these questions, and for that reason a forum was set up at www.mikebennettpodcast.com to discuss it (…Forums / The One). Here you can read my thoughts on the matter and the feedback of others.
Apart from this, I guess we’ll have to wait for ‘Two Among the Sleepless’ to reveal all: coming (probably) in 2010. Until then, enjoy Hall of Mirrors, and stay tuned to Podiobooks for my second novel, which will hopefully dropping before the end of the year… Oh, and I will be giving it away again
July 31st, 2008 at 1:00 am
Thank for your answer Mike.
I have now got my login to your forum and am contemplating my contribution to the “The One”-discussion.
Looking forward to 2010 - Good luck with your writing!
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:26 am
One Among The Sleepless = 100% Excellence !
I didn’t enjoy this book, I revelled in it, I luxuriated in it’s camp urban horror and I lived it hours at a time.
The author Mike Bennett has the great skill of an authentic storyteller in that he doesn’t read this too you or indeed narrate but instead he offers you a full performance. The enthusiasm and freedom of the writer allows for his character creations to come totally to life in all their glory.
Here you have a tale that will cause smiles, tears, laughter, shock, unease, horror and ultimately satisfaction. The pictures in my head were vivid and detailed as this story sped along and I am left feeling that I have lived with these people - Wayne remains in my head as does Dusty!
I was very lucky to not have the agony of waiting for next episodes as I came to this podnovel late and enjoyed a week of listening joy all in one go. I really do urge you to download this novel and let yourself become immersed - you’ll find it impossible to turn off.
I for one am now off to download Hall of Mirrors and also to donate to Mike for this work - I’ve paid for audiobooks before and recieved nothing like this kind of performance. It’s a joy to hear someone who has put their being into writing a story and shown the same dedication to its performance…..and for FREE people.
Oh….and Choose Life.